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Toyota PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

68 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

81,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2010 to 2026 model years. Data snapshot: . 37 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 68 complaints (41.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior3754.4%
Transmission and shifting45.9%
Electrical and battery issues45.9%
Engine operation22.9%
Steering behavior22.9%
Fuel system concerns11.5%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Service Brakes
28
Electrical System
13
Unknown Or Other
11
Engine
6
Vehicle Speed Control
5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
4
Fuel/Propulsion System
3
Hybrid Propulsion System
3
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Service Brakes28
Electrical System13
Unknown Or Other11
Engine6
Vehicle Speed Control5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Hybrid Propulsion System3

Service Brakes: 28; Electrical System: 13; Unknown Or Other: 11; Engine: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Hybrid Propulsion System: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
6
25,000 to 49,999
3
50,000 to 74,999
9
75,000 to 99,999
5
100,000 to 149,999
10
150,000 and above
4
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0006
25,000 to 49,9993
50,000 to 74,9999
75,000 to 99,9995
100,000 to 149,99910
150,000 and above4

Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 4

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 31 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2016
4
2017
8
2018
10
2019
7
2020
7
2021
2
2022
3
2023
7
2024
14
2025
1
2026
5
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20164
20178
201810
20197
20207
20212
20223
20237
202414
20251
20265

2016: 4; 2017: 8; 2018: 10; 2019: 7; 2020: 7; 2021: 2; 2022: 3; 2023: 7; 2024: 14; 2025: 1; 2026: 5

Pattern summary

Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 37 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11024742 · 2017-09-20 (September 20, 2017)

THE BRAKE SYSTEM ABS NOT WORKS. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE STREET WHEN THE SYSTEM ABS STOPPED WORKING AND THE WARNING LIGHTS IN DASHBOARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS LOWERED UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE CAR CONTINUES NON-STOP UNTIL THE PEDAL IS REPEATEDLY DEPRESSED AGAIN. DIAGNOSTIC IN DEALER TOYOTA , KENDALL TOYOTA (10943 SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY MIAMI, FLORIDA 33156), SYSTEM ABS/VSC/TRAC NOT WORKING, (CODE C1391: ABNORMAL LEAK IN ACCUMULATOR). DATE SEPTEMBER 20 THE 2017. WARNING: AS NITROGEN IS RELEASED INTO THE BRAKE FLUID, THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY HAVE R…

Owner-reported narrative. 119,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11024742 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11145306 · 2018-11-05 (November 5, 2018)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SWITCH THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AND DROVE INTO A NEIGHBOR'S YARD. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL EVEN WITH THE CONTACT STANDING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE CORNER OF A NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT UNTIL THE INSURANCE COMPANY PROVIDED …

Owner-reported narrative. 74,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11145306 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11235273 · 2019-07-27 (July 27, 2019)

AUTO STOPPED. ENGINE RUNNING. BRAKE PEDAL PRESSED. TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE. WHEN OPENING DRIVER DOOR AND RELEASING BRAKE PEDAL, CAR MOVES FORWARD. VIN INCLUDED IN ATTACHED FILE.

Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11235273 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11319211 · 2020-03-25 (March 25, 2020)

WHILE STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT, FOOT BRAKE PRESSED,TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, WHEN OPENING DRIVERS DOOR AND FOOT BRAKE RELEASED CAR STILL MOVES FORWARD. IT SHOULD GO INTO PARK AUTOMATIC BUT DOES NOT.

Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11319211 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10937368 · 2016-12-25 (December 25, 2016)

CAR WAS PARKED AND THE CHARGE CORD CONNECTED. IT HAD ABOUT 2.9 MILES LEFT ON BATTERY POWER, BY THAT CALCULATION IT SHOULD BEEN CHARGED BY 1100P. AT 1230P CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FIRE. FIRE DEPT IS INVESTIGATING FOR ARSON, BUT MY NEIGHBORS CAMERA CAUGHT IT ALL (I HAVEN'T SEEN IT) IT SEEMS THE CAR JUST START ON FIRE BY ITSELF, INSURANCE IS STILL INVESTIGATING, BUT I'M ALMOST POSITIVE THAT THIS FIRE STARTED ON ITS ON. IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU GUYS COULD FOLLOW UP. MY HOUSE ALSO CAUGHT ON FIRE. HAD I NOT BEEN JOLTED UP AND TRIED TO SAVE MY HOUSE …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10937368 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11079435 · 2018-03-14 (March 14, 2018)

BATTERY HOLD DOWN BRACKETS FOR MAIN TRACTION BATTERY (21 KW) BROKE ALLOWING AN UNSAFE CONDITION FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WHILE THE DEALER TRIED TO FIGURE OUT THE NOISE WE REPORTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW IN 88900 MILES. DEALER AND TOYOTA STATES THAT THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF A DIRT ROAD I DRIVE ON REGULARLY. THE "UNBREAKABLE" HOLD DOWN BRACKETS AS DESCRIBED BY THEIR ENGINEER, BROKE TWICE NOW.

Owner-reported narrative. 88,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11079435 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10957492 · 2017-02-28 (February 28, 2017)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10957492 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11114443 · 2018-07-29 (July 29, 2018)

NOTHING HAPPENED YET, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE INVERTER FAILING AND CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS STILL HAPPENING DESPITE AFFECTED CARS HAVING RECEIVED A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO "PREVENT" THE ISSUE. DURING AN EMERGENCY, REGENERATIVE SYSTEMS PREVENT THESE CARS FROM SWIFTLY COASTING OUT OF THE TRAVEL LANE AS OTHER CARS WOULD DO. INSTEAD, THE CAR WILL ACT LIKE THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN SLAMMED ON, CAUSING A SERIOUS HAZARD. I READ ABOUT THIS HERE HTTPS://TOYOTATALK.COM/TOYOTA-PRIUS-HYBRID-INVERTER/

Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11114443 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11339629 · 2020-07-15 (July 15, 2020)

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP AND I IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES. THERE WAS AMPLE DISTANCE TO STOP SAFELY BUT I ENDED UP REAR ENDING THE CAR AHEAD OF ME WITHOUT ANY NOTICEABLE SLOWDOWN. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SPONGY AND THE BRAKES DID NOT APPLY. THE CAR WOULD TYPICALLY JERK IF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES WERE WORKING BUT THIS DID NOT OCCUR. THE FRONT STEERING WHEEL AND KNEE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN UP EITH…

Owner-reported narrative. 186,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11339629 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11058220 · 2018-01-03 (January 3, 2018)

THE HYBRID SYSTEM ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES CONTAIN AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) FUSE WHICH MAY MALFUNCTION IF THE VEHICLE IS REPEATEDLY OPERATED IN EV MODE UNDER HIGH-LOAD DRIVING CONDITIONS, SUCH AS DURING A LONG HILL CLIMB. IF THE FUSE MALFUNCTIONS, WARNING LIGHTS AND WARNING MESSAGES WILL ILLUMINATE. IN SOME CASES, THE VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN, BUT WITH REDUCED POWER. N OTHER CASES, THE HYBRID SYSTEM COULD SHUT DOWN RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER. POWER STEERING AND BRAKING WILL NOT BE AFFECTED. LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHER …

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11058220 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11319593 · 2020-03-28 (March 28, 2020)

ON TOYOTA'S WEBSITE THE VEHICLE HAS A 10.9 GALLON FUEL TANK CAPACITY LISTED. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AT THE END OF LAST YEAR AND HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO GET ABOVE 8.5 GALLONS. I CONSTANTLY ACHIEVE 45-50 MILES PER GALLON AS ADVERTISED BUT NEVER GET THE RANGE I WAS PROMISED FROM THE DEALER OR BY TOYOTA'S WEBSITE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11319593 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2010
1
2011
0
2012
2
2013
1
2014
1
2015
1
2025
2
2026
1
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20101
20110
20122
20131
20141
20151
20252
20261

2010: 1; 2011: 0; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2025: 2; 2026: 1

Year-by-year records

Toyota PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
201061Not available
201110-1
2012252+2
2013121-1
20141310
2015510
202522Not available
202641-1